As expected, the Gliese 581 system did not disappoint and is now revealing the smallest planet outside our solar system, bringing the total number of planets found orbiting around the red dwarf star to three. When the star was first targeted by astronomers nearly two years ago, only a single planet was detected. The newly found object weighs about 5 times more than Earth, has a rocky surface, and its orbit could allow the existence of liquid water and life.

“The separation between the planet and its star is just right for having liquid water at its surface. That’s why we are a bit excited,” says astronomer and team spokesperson Stephane Udry of the Observatory of Geneva.